Tice had exec producer credits on “Blood for Irina” and “Bear City” and he also helped launch “Latter Days,” “Another Gay Movie” and “Mysterious Skin” for TLA Releasing.

Throughout his career, Tice worked at Sundance, the Chicago International Film Festival, Frameline and over 20 other fests.

TLA Entertainment Group CEO Derek Curl told Indiewire,”Lewis has been my closest colleague for over 10 years. He was there for most of my firsts in the film business, protecting me from the sharks and introducing me to the people he knew…which was everyone. It is a devastating loss to me personally, to LGBT cinema and to all the filmmakers that relied on his kind soul and glorious laugh to get them through. This most sweet and talented man will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know and work with him.”

On a personal note, Lewis was a professional pen-pal of mine and continually provided me with invaluable guidance and insight--and I can say he provided both truly selflessly and with no personal gain or insight in mind. He was a wonderful novelty in "Hollywood."

(Also, he answered an unsolicited email from me and generously engaged with someone he didn't know--that says it all!)

We here at Instinct celebrate his life and send our condolences to his friends and family.